'Pink dot' license plate urges organ donation

Information about the pink dot licence plate can be found at pinkdotplate.org . Prospective donors can register at donatelifecalifornia.org .

Information about the pink dot licence plate can be found at pinkdotplate.org . Prospective donors can register at donatelifecalifornia.org .

Information about the pink dot licence plate can be found at pinkdotplate.org . Prospective donors can register at donatelifecalifornia.org .

Retired San Diego California Highway Patrol Officer Michael McCrerey is one of the lucky ones, receiving word that a new liver was available while bedridden at home “waiting to die.”

But another 22,000 Californians on the waiting list may not be so fortunate. Nationally, time runs out for about 18 people everyday.

That’s why McCrerey and San Diego-based Donate Life California were in the Capitol Thursday to help unveil a specialized license plate featuring the iconic pink dot that is now attached to driver’s licenses to identify potential organ and tissue donors.

“We are at a milestone. We are not at the finish line,” said Sharon Ross of San Diego, a Donate Life board member.

Donate Life needs at least 7,500 pledges before the Department of Motor Vehicles will offer the plates for sale. The initial price will be $50 for normal plates; $98 for those who want it personalized. A share of the proceeds will go to promote organ and tissue donation programs.

Rocky Chavez

John Gastaldo

Rocky Chavez

Rocky Chavez (John Gastaldo)

Assemblyman Rocky Chávez, R-Oceanside, turned out for the event, noting that about 3,500 lives were saved in California this year alone thanks to donations.

“Think about those families and the children,” Chávez said in urging more people to register.

Slightly more than 10.5 million Californians have signed up for the eight-year-old registry, which can be done at the DMV or online. Those who wish can make their preferences known, such as offering their organs to veterans first or limiting which organs can be transplanted.

“A whim” is what saved McCrerey’s life seven years ago. That’s when Mario Pinedo of Chula Vista signed up as a donor when he renewed his driver’s license. He was only 39 and his parents wondered why he would do such a thing.

Shortly thereafter, Pinedo died unexpectedly of a brain aneurysm.

Not too far away, McCrerey had just come home to hospice care, resigned to losing a lengthy battle against liver cancer.

“I did not expect to wake up in the morning,” he said.

But then the news of a donor arrived.

“He had checked yes unbeknown to his family who at first didn’t think it was a good idea. He talked them into it. Thank God he had that whim,” McCrerey said. “More people in California need to do that. It’s just a check mark. It doesn’t cost you a dime.”

Members of San Diego-based Donate Life are pushing for a specialized California license plate to help raise money to assist with organ donations and transplants. Former CHP officer and liver transplant recipient Michael McCrerey spoke at the event. Photo by Phil Kampel

Members of San Diego-based Donate Life are pushing for a specialized California license plate to help raise money to assist with organ donations and transplants. Former CHP officer and liver transplant recipient Michael McCrerey spoke at the event. Photo by Phil Kampel

Members of San Diego-based Donate Life are pushing for a specialized California license plate to help raise money to assist with organ donations and transplants. Former CHP officer and liver transplant recipient Michael McCrerey spoke at the event. Photo by Phil Kampel

Forever thankful to Pineda and his family, McCrerey, who turns 70 next month, is active in the campaign to register more donors.

“You can’t take it with you,” is his half-joking message to potential registrants.

McCrerey’s wife, Rita, was also there. The back of her shirt sported photographs of “hero” donors, including that of Mario Pinedo.

She said those who see the license plate may start the conversation with family members about their wishes.

“I know lives can be saved,” Rita McCrerey said.

The California Highway Patrol was also on hand, marking the death of Officer Kenyon Youngstrom, who was killed in the line of duty last year near Walnut Creek. Four people are alive today thanks to his transplanted organs.

“We feel his loss every day, but we know something good came out of it,” said his widow, Karen Youngstrom.